Chocs away at Blackgang
Blackgang Chine, the oldest theme park in the country, is adding a mouth-watering temptation.

A new emporium is opening, selling a wide range of quality chocolates and confectionery.

This year also sees the launch of The Wight Experience, a 20-minute cinematic exploration of the Isle of Wight from the air—filmed by the team from several recent Bond adventures. Visit www.blackgangchine.com for the latest updates.

Blackgang’s sister attraction, Robin Hill Countryside Adventure Park, is adding a new African-themed play area. The Adventure Play Zulu Village adds to favourites including the Toboggan Run, Troll Island, the wooden maze and the Time Machine. For updates, visit www.robin-hill.com.

Steaming into Cowes
From 1 April, possibly the smallest paddle steamer in the world will be plying the Medina river, churning up the waters and happily sounding its whistle. Monarch, which up until now has been running trips in Kent, is a unique vessel because of her diminutive size (just 42 feet) but also because of her powerful, 100-year-old steam engine. Luxuriously appointed, the two-deck steamer will take up to 12 passengers from Island Harbour around Cowes and the Medina. She’ll venture further along this beautiful stretch of water than most visitors would normally go, says skipper Matthew O’Crowley.

Monarch is also available to charter, and passengers with tickets for Cowes Week Fireworks will be in for a treat. Monarch will operate from 1 April to the end of October. Visit www.leisuresteam.co.uk.

Carisbrooke spruced up
Visitors to Carisbrooke Castle will have an ever more interesting time, following a £1 million investment by English Heritage.

Improvements at the 900-year-old castle include hands-on interactive displays, an exciting new film, a virtual tour, and external graphics, which bring the castle’s history to life. The Princess Beatrice Garden, within the castle, has also been developed, based on English Heritage’s understanding of how the Privy Garden would have looked in the early 20th century. For details, please visit www.carisbrookecastlemuseum.org.uk and www.english-heritage.org.uk.

10 years and still walking
The Isle of Wight Walking Festival celebrates its 10th year with a record programme of more than 260 walks.

To mark the 2008 milestone, in addition to the bumper 16-day summer anniversary programme, which runs from 3 to 18 May, organisers have added a special celebratory weekend from 24 to 27 October, with 30 autumnal walks on offer.

There are plenty of treats in store during the 16-day festival. Highlights include an opening night of adventure featuring TV presenter Ben Fogle, and psychological illusionist Rod Newman performing Ordnance Survey-themed magic, at Medina Theatre, Newport, on 3 May.

In this, the 40th year since the first great Isle of Wight pop festival, the Jimi’s Garden Tour provides a fascinating walk into the past, marking the anniversary with a circular walk from the Jimi Hendrix Garden at Freshwater’s Dimbola Lodge to the site of the festival and back to the permanent exhibition.

Another novel excursion is a Geocaching (treasure-hunting) competition—harness GPS technology to hunt out 10 caches (or containers) hidden around the Island. To find out more, visit www.isleofwightwalkingfestival.co.uk.

Fiesta forever!
In 2008 the Isle of Wight, a major force in carnival, opens the country’s first carnival and celebratory arts learning centre.

Catering for everyone of all ages, from professional artists to amateur groups and individuals, the centre will be an important influence—it even has a role in the 2012 Olympics.

And visitors won’t have to draw the line at spectating—the centre aims to include some short-burst creative sessions designed for tourists who want to get in on the action and add some stunning memories to their holidays.

The centre will be hosting the first visit to Europe of the Bahamian Junkanoo carnival artists. Ryde Arts Parade (Saturday, 5 July) will feature the European premiere of this unique carnival form before it is seen at celebrations around the country.

The Carnival Learning Centre, Westridge, Brading Road, Ryde (01983 8217280).